Water in your Apple Watch can cause muffled speakers and accidental screen touches. I've helped dozens of Apple Watch owners clear water from their devices using the built-in Water Lock feature.
The quickest way to remove water is using Apple's Water Lock feature: Activate Water Lock in Control Center, then press and hold the Digital Crown to eject water using special vibration tones.
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This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about clearing water from your Apple Watch, including troubleshooting when the standard method doesn't work and prevention tips to avoid future issues.
Need to clear water from your Apple Watch right now? Follow these two steps:
Repeat the ejection process 2-3 times if your speaker still sounds muffled. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
For detailed instructions that work with all Apple Watch models, follow these comprehensive steps:
Water Lock prevents accidental screen touches when your Apple Watch is exposed to water. While newer watches activate it automatically during swimming, you should manually activate it for other water activities.
To activate Water Lock: Press the side button on your Apple Watch, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. Look for the water drop icon (it has a small lock symbol) and tap it once. You'll see a water droplet icon at the top of your screen, confirming Water Lock is active.
✅ Pro Tip: If you can't find the water drop icon, swipe left or right in Control Center - it might be on a different page.
Once you're out of the water, dry your Apple Watch with a soft, lint-free cloth. Pay special attention to the area around the Digital Crown and the speaker grilles on the left side of the watch.
Make sure your hands are dry before operating the watch. Water on your fingers can interfere with the touch screen and make it difficult to navigate to the ejection feature.
This is where the magic happens. Your Apple Watch uses special sound frequencies and vibrations to literally push water out of the speaker grilles.
For Apple Watch Series 2 through Series 8 (and SE models): Press and hold the Digital Crown (the round button on the right side) for about 3-5 seconds. You'll hear a series of tones and feel vibrations as water is ejected from the speaker. Continue holding until you see the "Unlocked" message and the water drop icon disappears.
For Apple Watch Ultra models with watchOS 9 or later: Simply press and hold the Digital Crown - no rotation needed. The ejection tones will begin automatically.
⏰ Time Saver: If your Apple Watch fell in water unexpectedly, you can skip straight to water ejection without activating Water Lock first. Just press and hold the Digital Crown immediately.
Test your speaker by playing a sound or using Siri. If the audio still sounds muffled or distorted, repeat the water ejection process 2-3 more times. Sometimes stubborn water pockets require multiple ejection cycles to clear completely.
Listen carefully to the ejection tones - they should sound clear and sharp. If the tones themselves sound muffled, that's a clear sign water is still trapped in the speaker.
After successful water ejection, give your Apple Watch a final gentle wipe with a dry cloth. Let it air dry for an additional 30 minutes before charging, just to be extra cautious.
Check all buttons and the Digital Crown to ensure they move smoothly. If you notice any resistance, gently work the buttons to dislodge any remaining moisture.
Sometimes the standard water ejection process doesn't completely solve the problem. Based on user experiences and troubleshooting guides, here's what to do when you're still dealing with muffled speakers:
Problem: Speaker still sounds muffled after multiple ejection attempts.
Solution: Try the "gravity method." Hold your Apple Watch with the speaker side facing down and gently tap it against your palm. Then attempt water ejection again. This helps dislodge water that might be trapped deeper in the speaker housing.
Problem: Can't find Water Lock in Control Center.
Solution: In watchOS 10 and later, the Control Center interface changed. You might need to swipe through multiple pages to find the water drop icon. If it's not there, restart your Apple Watch by holding the side button and swiping to power off, then turn it back on.
Problem: Digital Crown won't eject water.
Solution: Ensure you're pressing and holding (not rotating) the Digital Crown on newer watchOS versions. The method changed in watchOS 9 - older instructions to rotate the crown no longer apply to current software.
If the basic troubleshooting doesn't work, try these advanced techniques:
⚠️ Important: NEVER put your Apple Watch in rice. Rice particles can get into ports and cause more damage. Also avoid using compressed air, which can push water deeper into the device.
If you've tried all troubleshooting methods and your speaker still sounds muffled after 24 hours, it's time to contact Apple Support. Persistent speaker issues might indicate water damage that requires professional service.
Signs you need professional help include: consistently distorted audio, buttons that don't respond properly, or condensation visible under the display.
Preventing water issues is always better than dealing with them after the fact. Based on my experience with Apple Watch maintenance:
I recommend making water ejection part of your routine after any water exposure. Even quick hand washing can introduce moisture to the speaker area.
Clean your Apple Watch regularly with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid getting moisture into any openings beyond what the water resistance rating allows.
Based on community reports and Apple's guidelines, never use these methods to dry your Apple Watch:
These methods can cause more damage than the water itself and may void your warranty.
Activate Water Lock in Control Center by tapping the water drop icon, then press and hold the Digital Crown until you hear ejection tones and see "Unlocked" on screen. Repeat 2-3 times if needed.
For watchOS 9 and later, simply press and hold the Digital Crown (don't rotate). For older watchOS versions, you may need to rotate the Digital Crown. The method changed in recent updates.
Yes, Apple includes the Water Lock and water ejection feature on all Apple Watch Series 2 and newer models. It uses special sound frequencies to vibrate water out of the speaker grilles.
Water Lock itself doesn't eject water - it locks the screen to prevent accidental inputs. To actually eject water, you need to press and hold the Digital Crown after using Water Lock.
Leaving water in your Apple Watch can cause muffled speaker sound, potential long-term speaker damage, and may affect the microphone. It's best to eject water as soon as possible after exposure.
Start with one ejection cycle, then test your speaker. If it still sounds muffled, repeat 2-3 more times. Most cases clear up within 2-3 ejection attempts.
After helping numerous Apple Watch owners with water issues, I've found that quick action and proper technique make all the difference. The Water Lock feature is incredibly effective when used correctly, but it's important to understand both its capabilities and limitations.
Best Overall Practice: Make Water Lock activation part of your routine before any water activities. The 30 seconds it takes to activate and later eject water can prevent hours of troubleshooting and potential speaker damage.
Remember: Your Apple Watch is water-resistant, not waterproof. Understanding this difference and following proper procedures will help ensure your watch stays functional for years to come.
For those who frequently use their Apple Watch for swimming or water sports, consider checking out Apple Watch compatible fitness equipment that enhances your workout tracking capabilities.